McLean Brothers Fisheries Company records

This collection of seven microfilm reels of records for the McLean Brothers Fisheries Company in Wheatley, Ontario documents the activities of a Canadian Lake Erie fishing company for the years 1908-1960. Account records form the largest segments of the collection. Reels 1-5 contain forty-eight Fish Account Books for 1908-1956. These volumes records the sale of fish by the McLean Brothers to companies distributing the catch to consumers. Reels 5-7 contain thirty-one Day Books recording office expenses for company operations from 1928-1960. Six Wage Books for 1923-1955 list employees and wages on reel 7.

Smaller series present scattered information on the fishing industry. Correspondence for 1920-1952 discusses fish sales, supply purchases and stock sales. Income tax returns for 1917-1934 provide the reader with a view of the measure of success the company achieved. Gasoline tax refund information for 1935-1939, 1952-1956 describes a Canadian tax benefit available to commercial gasoline purchasers. Miscellaneous employee and supply purchase records for 1946-1956 complete the collection.

The time span covered by the account records offers a lengthy view into the expenses faced by a Great Lakes fishing company and the changes in the catch species over a forty-eight year period.

Series contains account information regarding purchases of fish from the McLean Brothers Company of Wheatley, Ontario by other companies involved in distribution of fish to markets. Company account records show dates of purchases, purchaser, type of fish sold, quantity sold, and price. Internal accounts of daily expenses are present reflecting purchases of groceries, equipment and other daily items.

DAY BOOKS 1-31; 1928-1960; Reels 5-7, arranged chronologically. Series contains a daily record of company activities that notes trips taken by company staff, purchases of supplies and weather observations.

WAGE BOOKS 1-6; 1923-1955; Reel 7; arranged chronologically. Series contains employee names, pay periods worked, and amounts paid for the period. Some employee records also describe the nature of the work performed. The number of dependents is listed on 1940s sheets.

CORRESPONDENCE; 1920-1952; Reel 7; arranged chronologically. Series contains scattered correspondence regarding sales of fish, purchases of supuplies, and stock sales.

INCOME TAX RETURNS; 1917-1934; Reel 7; arranged chronologically. Series contains Dominion of Canada Income Tax forms for the McLean Brothers Company.

GASOLINE TAX REFUND APPLICATIONS; 1935, 1939, 1952-1956; Reel 7; arranged chronologically. Series contains applications for refunds of the gasoline tax paid in Canada by commercial enterprises.

MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS; 1946-1956; Reel 7; arranged chronologically. Series contains scattered employment records and financial documents for company supply purchases. Two maps of the Lake Erie region noting the operating area of the McLean Brothers Company are included.